Sailing this length of time on the ocean and not seeing land or ships is strange to say the least. Makes you realize we are smaller than grains of sand on a beach and how vast this planet really is. It takes 17 hours on a plane from Sydney to Miami.
We have been at sea now going on our 3rd day without seeing land. Last evening we crossed the International Date Line so virtually there is no Friday the 21st . There is a Rabbi and a Priest on board and the Rabbi had Friday night services on Thursday. It is now Saturday the 22nd. I really don't understand where the day goes but if someone on the ship had a birthday on the 21st, it went by unrecognized. A friend sent me a "ponderism" that said:
I think the same can be said about losing the 21st. The year down here does not have 364 days on their calendar.
Yesterday a guest chef demonstrated the preparation of a dish which requires ingredients and tools I've never even heard of. From a very famous Las Vegas Hotel it was amazing at how complicated his recipe was.
About 4-5 people got up and left and as he explained that you needed a syphon with 3 air cartridges to plate the fish mousse on which rested a roll made out of lobster knuckles (yes that's right lobster knuckles, not the lobster tail because the knuckles are more flavorful.) that you had just finished poaching in plastic wrap.
I was thinking a Burger King may be good right about then. I walked out before he finished spritzing the mousse on the presentation plate.
We have another lecture by the Maori Chief this morning. Here is his photo. He is really interesting and has told fantastic stories about the Maori nation,
He explained that the wide open eyes and sticking out of the tongue was an intimidation technique used to frighten the enemy. In a short film he showed of one of the war dances done by a troupe of performers at a Maori competition they all appeared this way in parts of the film. At the end of the performance they all jump up and down in unison. Can you imagine 6000 Maoris with faces like that jumping in unison. He said the ground shook. It must have put fear into the hearts of their enemies. By the way, the last cannibal died in 1938!
There are some very nice (and some not nice at all) aboard the ship. You would think that people of worth would dress fabulously well all the time but it ain't so. I feel right at home in my gray shorts!
This morning the sun is shining and the humidity is down. For the last 2 days it has been overcast and rainy.
There is a jewelry store on board the ship and while we were having tea and treats in the observation lounge he was having an informal chat with 6 people about rare gems and gold. We sat across from them, listened and watched their faces.
It was kind of like watching a farmer trying to milk reluctant cows! I thought the tea would spurt out of Len's nose because he laughed so hard as I made this comment.
I did a wash yesterday and there are strange people you meet in every nook and cranny of the ship.
While I was folding my clothes, this unsmiling gentleman has his clothes in the washing machine and I watched as he opened the door at least 12 times to see the progress of his wash. Impatient! Now unless I am mistaken and he was deaf as a post, there was no need to see the clothes swishing in the washer you just had to listen!
There is something to do at all hours of the day and evening. I had imagined being bored during sea days but between the lectures, demonstrations, the shows (of which there are at least 2 a day) there is something for everyone. While the ship is at sea I go down to the casino around 3pm to play blackjack. I started with $100. and am still with the same $100 -
I tried the tap dancing class but it seems that my 2 left feet on a moving ship don't interact very well. One class was enough.
I had my hair done yesterday. The Harpo Marx look is not all that stylish so I indulged myself.
Indulgence is the key word aboard the ship and the key reason why people sail.
I guess that people who can afford to be this indulged must be indulged in their homes daily- just different set decorations. Regardless of what you ask of the staff they make every effort to get it for you. Most of the waiters, stewardesses and staff know us by our names and you are really made to feel special throughout the day. It took less than a week for staff to know our names. Not just us, but most everyone.
Yesterday was German day at the buffet for lunch. I swear you could hear Bavarian folk songs in the background. There was not much for me to eat other than a salad and a small tuna sandwich.
We had dinner last evening with 2 very nice people who live in Puerto Viarta Mexico. It was a wonderful evening and the restaurant is lovely. First time we've eaten there. It is a tiny restaurant with perhaps 15 tables. The menu is set so you eat what's put in front of you. The presentation was unique but the food sucked!
There were 7 courses and on each oblong plate of food (2 mouthfuls each) there were 3 to 5 items. The the contents of the oblong plate is verbally described by the waiter from left to right and you are expected to taste every item. These are not simple food items. They are elegantly presented and a tremendous effort to blend exotic ingredients with one another. With the exception of a tiny portion of veal most of Len's and my plate were left untouched. Somehow dishes like vanilla cappuccino soup blended with Asian spices didn't seem appealing and we only nibbled most of the dishes. (and the other people with us ate about the same amount.) The menu changes daily and we will try it again with different food.
Today is a galley brunch. The kitchen is filled to the brim with every food imaginable and you get to walk through the galley and pick and choose what you would like to eat. On the cruise to Alaska they did the same thing and it is amazing to see this presentation. Len is going to go down and take photos before it opens and I will post the pictures.
(I seem to be talking a lot about food don't I)
There is a lecture today at 2pm about New Zealand, I hope it is as interesting as the Maori's was.
Last night our stewardess put on our bed 2 certificates with our names on them acknowledging that we crossed the date line. She made a little paper boat with our pictures cut out and placed on top of the certificates. I'll put up a picture later.
I finished a watercolor painting a lion and I'll upload that too. There is a room service attendant from South Africa who saw me working on it and told me it reminded him of home. I am going to give him the painting before we leave the ship.
We arrive in Russel, Bay of Islands NZ on the 24th.
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